People making a new life in the Illawarra after escaping persecution in their countries of origin face many challenges as they try to settle into an unfamiliar place where they don't know anyone and English is not their first language.
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But thanks to the July round of the Greater Illawarra Community Funding Program that is being made a little easier with SCARF Refugee Support winning the community vote for the lions share of funding.
SCARF will receive $2000 and runners up Youth Dismissed - Art Exhibition and Bikers 4 Heroes will each received $500 from the Greater Bank.
SCARF acting chief executive Ian Jarman said virtually all refugees have suffered significant trauma to escape from their home countries and the organisation provides vital links to help people adjust to their new surroundings.
"Many people in the SCARF community have faced multiple challenges to eventually settle in Australia. They often leave behind family to make that transition, and that separation can cause a lot of anxiety," he said.
"SCARF identified that making connections within the community remains a challenge by the time their government support ends after five years. Learning English can be a huge barrier for some community members and employment is almost non-existent. We work with refugee entrants on an ongoing basis until they feel that they don't need our support any longer.
"Our funding is piecemeal. We rely on some government grants but we have to raise about 40 per cent of our funding ourselves through events. That's been heavily impacted by COVID so the money from the Greater Illawarra Community Funding Program will be a welcome fillip for us."
Greater Bank's Illawarra regional sales manager Greg Creagan said groups such as SCARF Refugee Support have had a difficult time during the COVID pandemic.
"Fundraising activities for many organisations like SCARF Refugee Support have been severely curtailed over the past year or more because of restrictions preventing them from holding the kinds of events they usually rely on to raise money," he said.
"Helping refugees build connections and feel at home in the Illawarra is an incredible goal and we are delighted make a contribution to support their operations."
Mr Creagan said the August round of the #GreaterIllawarra program was now open with Southern Suburbs Netball Club, Korimui Gang Show and Team Illawarra Camp Quality EsCARpade vying for community votes for a share in the $3000 funding available this month.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
